Editor's Note

An Ailing Healthcare Reform

We've got a great crew of UA Journalism School students working for us here at the Weekly this summer. Intern Elise McClain has been following the ups and downs of the GOP's efforts to repeal Obamacare for this week's cover story. As I write this, the effort has imploded, but by the time you pick up the paper, maybe they'll have delivered on President Donald Trump's promise to provide "such great health care at a tiny fraction of the cost." Remember what The Don told us: "It's going to be so easy."

McClain does a great job of drilling down into why it hasn't been so easy, with a big focus on the importance of Medicaid to the states smart and compassionate enough to take the expansion dollars to help out their poorest residents. While this battle might be over, the war on the Affordable Care Act is sure to continue. We'll keep following it in the months to come.

We're also introducing a new column this week, Indie Screen, which will fill you in on all the non-blockbuster movie action happening around town. Most of it happens at the Loft Cinema, of course, which is proudly re-opening its main auditorium with brand new seats this week. Let's have a big round of applause for that, as well as the return of the Loft Kids Fest, a totally free way for parents to get their kids into a cool movie theater. And Looney Toons on the big screen? I'll be there with the kid next Friday, July 28.

A special shout out to an exclusive feature on our digital edition: Keep track of Tucson's mighty XIXA with their on-going daily tour diary they're keeping on Tucson Weekly's The Range blog. All the dirt, grime, and glory, the hangovers and warts, as they swing through Germany, France, Italy, the Czech Republic and beyond.

And before I go: Be sure to cast your ballot in our online Best of Tucson competition. Deadline to vote is July 31, so don't dawdle or your neighbor will decide what's best for you.